Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam had three options when legislation banning forced annexations by municipalities arrived at his desk a few days ago.

Haslam, a Republican and former Knoxville mayor, could sign the bill, let it become law without his signature or veto it. He signed it. It apparently wasn't a complicated decision.

"Throughout the process we were deferred to the will of legislature, and (the legislation) passed both houses overwhelmingly," Haslam administration spokeswoman Laura Herzog said of the governor's decision.